Upright type vacuum cleaner

ABSTRACT

An upright type vacuum cleaner includes a weight counterbalancing section located at a connective portion for connecting a body of the vacuum cleaner with a brush assembly in a manner that the body and the brush assembly are rotated on each other, for counterbalancing a partial weight of the body when the body is inclined. The weight counterbalancing means includes a pair of shafts formed on both sides of the body; a pair of shaft positioning portions formed on the brush assembly corresponding to the pair of shafts of the body; holders connected to the respective shaft positioning portions for rotatably supporting the shafts positioned on the shaft positioning portions; and torsion springs each of which having one end fixed at each shaft, and the other end fixed at the brush assembly, for elastically supporting the body in a perpendicular relation with respect to the brush assembly. Further, a pair of moving rollers are formed on both rear sides of the brush assembly for smooth movement of the vacuum cleaner. Accordingly, when a user tilts the body of the vacuum cleaner to perform the cleaning operation, a partial weight of the body is supported by the torsion springs, so the user handles less weight, and is less tired even after a long period of cleaning.

[0001] This application makes reference to, incorporates the sameherein, and claims all benefits accruing under 35 U.S.C. § 119 from anapplication entitled UPRIGHT TYPE VACUUM CLEANER earlier filed in theKorean Industrial Property Office on the 5th day of October 1999, andthere duly assigned Ser. No. 99-42729, a copy of which is annexedhereto.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to an upright type vacuum cleaner,and more particularly to an upright type vacuum cleaner having weightcounterbalancing means for allowing users to use the vacuum cleaner withease.

[0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0005] Generally, a vacuum cleaner collects dirts or dust in the air byintaking air with a strong suction force which is generated due to thehigh pressure difference between an interior and an exterior of a bodyof the vacuum cleaner while the interior is vacuumized by a motor. Whenair is sucked into/let out of the body of the vacuum cleaner, dirt ordust in the air is filtered out by a filter which is located within thebody of the vacuum cleaner. Such a vacuum cleaner is divided intovarious types such as a canister type, upright type, stick type, andhandy type, according to their respective shape.

[0006] Among the above vacuum cleaners, as shown in FIG. 1, the uprighttype vacuum cleaner has a brush assembly 2 which is directly connectedto the lower portion of a body 1 of the vacuum cleaner. The body 1 andthe brush assembly 2 are connected with each other by a hinge, and canbe rotated with each other. A pair of rollers 3 are disposed on thelower end of the body 1, and a handle portion 4 is formed on the upperend of the body 1.

[0007] Meanwhile, albeit not shown in the drawings, there are a motor,filter, etc., located in the body 1, and a suction port, and brush drum,etc. are formed at the brush assembly 2.

[0008] In order to clean a certain place with the above vacuum cleaner,a user holds the handle portion 4, and moves the body 1 and the brushassembly 2 connected with the body 1 to his/her desired locations.

[0009] When cleaning an area, the user usually tilts the body 1 of theupright type vacuum cleaner, and the body leans over the rollers 3 atthe lower end of the body 1. Accordingly, the weight of the body 1 isexerted to the handle portion 4 on the upper end of the body 1, and theuser becomes tired when he/she uses the vacuum cleaner for an extendedperiod of time since he/she has to perform the cleaning process underthe complete weight of the vacuum cleaner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The present invention has been developed to overcome the aboveproblem of the related art, and accordingly it is an object of thepresent invention to provide an upright type vacuum cleaner capable ofcounterbalancing a partial weight of a body, thereby relieving a user ofexcessive weight of the body exerted on the handle portion and lettingthe user perform the cleaning operation for a long period of timewithout being tired.

[0011] The above object is accomplished by an upright type vacuumcleaner according to the present invention, including: weightcounterbalancing means disposed at a connective portion for connecting abody of the vacuum cleaner with a brush assembly in a manner that thebody and the brush assembly are rotated on each other, the weightcounterbalancing means for counterbalancing a partial weight of the bodywhen the body is inclined.

[0012] The weight counterbalancing means includes a pair of shaftsformed on both sides of the body; a pair of shaft positioning portionsformed on the brush assembly corresponding to the pair of shafts of thebody; holders connected to the respective shaft positioning portions forrotatably supporting the shafts positioned on the shaft positioningportions; and torsion springs each of which having one end fixed at eachshaft, and the other end fixed at the brush assembly, for elasticallysupporting the body in a perpendicular relation with respect to thebrush assembly.

[0013] A pair of moving rollers are formed on both rear sides of thebrush assembly for a smooth mobility of the vacuum cleaner.

[0014] Accordingly, when a user tilts the body of the vacuum cleaner toperform the cleaning operation, a partial weight of the body issupported by the torsion springs, so the user handles less weightexerted on the handle portion, and is less tired even after a longperiod of cleaning.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] The above and other objects and the advantages of the presentinvention will become readily apparent by reference to the followingdetailed description when considered in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings in which:

[0016]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional upright type vacuumcleaner;

[0017]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an upright type vacuum cleaneraccording to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0018]FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view for showing the mainportion of the present invention, i.e., weight counterbalancing means ofthe upright type vacuum cleaner according to the preferred embodiment ofthe present invention; and

[0019]FIG. 4 is a side elevation of a brush assembly connecting portionhaving the weight counterbalancing means according to the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0020] FIGS. 2 to 4 show an upright type vacuum cleaner according to thepreferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the upright type vacuum cleaneraccording to the present invention includes a body 10, a brush assembly20, and weight counterbalancing means 30 formed at a connective part forconnecting the body 10 with the brush assembly 20 in a manner that thebody 10 and the brush assembly 20 are rotated on each other, forcounterbalancing part of the weight of the body 10 when the body 10 isinclined.

[0022] The body 10 includes a vacuum motor, and filter, etc., and ahandle portion 11 is formed at the upper portion thereof.

[0023] Further, the brush assembly 20 includes a suction port (notshown) formed therein, and other components such as a brush drum, etc.The brush assembly 20 further includes a pair of rollers 22 formed atboth rear ends for mobility.

[0024] Meanwhile, the weight counterbalancing means 30 includes a pairof shafts 32 formed on both sides of the body 10, a pair of shaftpositioning portions 24 formed on the brush assembly 20 to correspond tothe pair of shafts 32, holders 26 fastened to the respective shaftpositioning portions 24 by bolts 28 for rotatably supporting the shafts32 positioned on the shaft positioning portions 24, and torsion springs36 each of which having one end fixed at each shaft 32 and the other endfixed at the brush assembly 20 for elastically supporting the body 10toward the brush assembly 20 in a perpendicular direction.

[0025] The shafts 32 are hollow shafts, and spring holders 34 are formedtherein. Each shaft 32 is divided into two semicircular members, andeach spring holder 34 includes a hole into which one end of the torsionspring 36 is fit.

[0026] The shaft positioning portions 24 are in each semicircle forpositioning the shafts 32, and respectively include screw holes formedon both sides thereof.

[0027] Further, the holders 26 include semicircular portionscorresponding to the respective semicircular portions of the shaftpositioning portions 24, and screw holes formed on both sides thereof.Accordingly, as bolts 28 are passed through the screw holes of theholders 26, and are fastened into the screw holes of the shaftpositioning portions 24, the holders 26 are coupled with the shaftpositioning portions 24, and support the shafts 32.

[0028] Each torsion spring 36 is fit into each spring holder 34 formedwithin each shaft 32, while one end thereof is fixed in the hole formedin the spring holder 34, and the other end is fixed between the shaftpositioning portion 24 and the holder 26.

[0029] There is no limit to the shape or material for the torsion spring36 as long as the same can stand the required torsional stress, but itis preferable that the torsion spring 36 is made of a metal coil springwhich is wound in a cylindrical fashion.

[0030] With the upright type vacuum cleaner according to the presentinvention, like the conventional vacuum cleaner, the user performs thecleaning operation by pushing or pulling the vacuum cleaner and movingthe brush assembly 20 to the desired cleaning surface while holding thehandle provided at the body 10. The unique feature of the presentinvention is the weight counterbalancing means for counterbalancing thepartial weight of the body 10, thereby reducing the weight of the body10 exerted on the handle portion 11, when a user tilts the body 10 toperform the cleaning operation. Such is described in detail below.

[0031] When the user tilts the body 10 at a certain angle, the shafts 32formed in the body 10 are rotated on the shaft positioning portions 24formed in the brush assembly 20 at the same slanted angle, andaccordingly, the torsion springs 36, whose ends are attached at thespring holders 34 provided in the shafts 32 and the other ends areattached at the brush assembly 20, are twisted. Since the torsionsprings 36 support the body 10 to be perpendicular to the brush assembly20, the torsion springs 36 support a partial weight of the body 10.Accordingly, since the torsion springs 36 support the partial weight ofthe body 10, the user handles less weight of the body 10 and is able toperform the cleaning operation more conveniently.

[0032] As described above, according to the present invention, since theweight counterbalancing means supports a partial weight of the body, theuser can perform the cleaning operation with reduced weight, andaccordingly, the user is less tired even after a long cleaningoperation.

[0033] As stated above, a preferred embodiment of the present inventionis shown and described. Although the preferred embodiment of the presentinvention has been described, it is understood that the presentinvention should not be limited to this preferred embodiment but variouschanges and modifications can be made by one skilled in the art withinthe spirit and scope of the present invention as hereinafter claimed.

What is claimed is:
 1. An upright type vacuum cleaner comprising: weightcounterbalancing means disposed at a connective portion for connecting abody of the vacuum cleaner with a brush assembly in a manner that thebody and the brush assembly are rotated on each other, the weightcounterbalancing means for counterbalancing a partial weight of the bodywhen the body is inclined; and a pair of moving rollers formed on bothrear sides of the brush assembly.
 2. The upright type vacuum cleaner asclaimed in claim 1 , wherein the weight counterbalancing meanscomprises: a pair of shafts formed on both sides of the body; a pair ofshaft positioning portions formed on the brush assembly corresponding tothe pair of shafts of the body; holders connected to the respectiveshaft positioning portions for rotatably supporting the shaftspositioned on the shaft positioning portions; and torsion springs eachof which having one end fixed at each shaft, and the other end fixed atthe brush assembly, for elastically supporting the body in aperpendicular relation with respect to the brush assembly.
 3. Theupright type vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the torsionsprings are metal coil springs which are wound in a cylindrical fashion.4. The upright type vacuum cleaner as claimed in claim 2 , wherein theshafts are hollow shafts, and spring holders are disposed in the shafts,while one end of each torsion spring is fixedly fit in a spring fixinggroove formed in each of the spring holders.
 5. The upright type vacuumcleaner as claimed in claim 4 , wherein the other end of each torsionspring is attached between each shaft positioning portion of the brushholder and each holder coupled to the shaft positioning portion.